| 20 HottestPopular Bands from Canada’s East Coast [but mainly Halifax/NS] | |
Inspiration/The Why Pt.1
This survey was inspired by i (heart) music’s annual best of survey. And more specifically, the lack of east coast acts mentioned, as discussed previously. So here’s our first crack at showing folks what they’re missing.
The methodology:
Same as i (heart) music’s [I think I cut and pasted this even], each band received points not only for their positions on each person’s list, but also for the number of lists on which they appeared. Thus, someone appearing on two lists stood a much better chance of placing within the top 20 than someone who placed high on just one list. Those rankings were then compiled into one larger list using a pretty straightforward point system (10 points for first on a list, 1 point for tenth, and 3 points for every list on which an artist appeared). For the one or two instances where there were ties, they were resolved by comparing the number of lists on which the artists were named.
Limitations
There was only a small sample of people that responded to my request for a listing of bands. Of those that did respond, I’m fairly certain they all reside within/around Halifax. No one from any other provinces for certain. Which is too bad because I’m sure there’s more bands in Sydney, St.John’s and St.John that deserve consideration/hearing. Also not a single hip hop act from the east coast made it. OR even got mentioned. Next year the goal is more people, more inclusive/far reaching.
The Why Pt.2
But even with the above limitations, this works. Because, really as far as rankings go, this whole thing is pretty meaningless. The point is simply to draw attention to the bands mentioned. All of them. Someone involved with music on a daily basis deems all of these bands worth hearing.
We’ve provided links and music where possible for you to decide which ones suit your personal tastes. But, outside hip hop, there should be a band here for everyone.
Indie pop, rock, folk, metal, hardcore and punk are all represented. So even though some genres were missed, this still clearly shows if just, the wide range of music being written and played o the east coast.
There’s so much more than traditional music here or what might be represented by the limited acts that hit the mainstream nationwide. Shining a light on that diversity is what this is about.
The Contributors
Chik White - Founded and runs Divorce Records. I have a great deal of respect for what he’s accomplished to date. [Summary and plans for 2007]
Ben Pearlman - Ben booked the Halifax Pop Explosion as well as various other shows about town. He recently left Halifax for Toronto. Here’s hoping he realizes he made a mistake and returns soon.
Shannon Webb-Campbell - Shannon got her own post here once. Read that.
Tara Thorne - Arts Editor for Halifax’s weekly The Coast. Takes heat for having a sense of humor from the CBC.
Johanna Gerrits - My partner in From Here To There Records [as well as everything else]
Matt Charlton - Works for Sonic Entertainment here in Halifax [Sunlit Torches - go/no go??]
Jason MacIssac - Works for Music Nova Scotia - is all around awesome - and is in the lovely Heavy Blinkers.
I considered adding my two cents but decided against it due to the plethora of conflicts of interest with various bands listed.
THANK YOU ALL - Your time and consideration was much appreciated.
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THE LIST
1 Jenn Grant
The next big thing - Jason macIssac
And pretty well everyone else agreed.
Look out Feist/Sarah’s - Ben Pearlman
Has such a beautiful voice and just a really warm energy when she takes the stage you can’t help but like her and she has a great band backing her. - Johanna Gerrits
Dreamer. Wow. - Matt Charlton
2 The Stance
Normally I hate this sort of thing, but these guys have enough attitude to pull it off. - Ben Pearlman
A really fun band, with an eneregetic live show that makes you want to dance. - Johanna Gerrits
These guys seem to have the buzz at the moment. Haven’t seen them live yet, but the EP is great. Plus, that whole Alicia Silverstone thing… - Matt Charlton
3 Jill Barber
Jill is like the James Brown of the folk singer/songwriter set, she’s one of the most captivating live performers I’ve ever seen. - Matt Charlton
By combining her natural leaning towards the past with seemingly quixotic lyrical musings, Barber has crafted For All Time, an album that should be heard through an antique gramophone. Visions of hot air balloons, Victorian postcards, ballroom dancing and a dusty, well-worn Victrola rise from the ashes of her old world sound. - Shannon Webb Campbell
4 In Flight Safety
John Mullane and his fellow passengers — bassist Brad Goodsell, drummer Glen Nicholson and keyboardist Daniel Ledwell — artfully blend the pop melodies of The Cardigans and Wilco with moodier elements akin to Sigur Ros and Radiohead. -Shannon Webb Campbell
These guys always blow me away. The new stuff they have been working on sounds amazing.
- Matt Charlton
5 Shotgun & Jaybird
Both the There Are Days and There Are Days EP and the Trying to Get Somewhere LP are pretty brilliant, but it was a 30 minute conversation with Fred (or Dick) about Levis Action Slacks that really made me a lifelong fan. Their performance at the Pop Explosion was one of the best I’ve seen in awhile. - Matt Charlton
My favorite east coast band - Ben Pearlman
6 Tanya Davis
Someone give this woman a book deal, as her lyrical talent surpasses the literary esteem of most noteworthy wordsmiths. Her debut disc Making Lists combines the rhyme-schemes of Kinnie Starr with the poetic, vulnerability of Amelia Curran’s early recordings. - Shannon Webb Campbell
Spoken word and beautiful singing over acoustic instruments…simply wonderful - Jason MacIssac
7 Stolen Minks
The rockabilly quartet have been breaking hearts for nearly three years, as the band basically began as a pipe dream and has evolved into a lollipop and lipstick revolution. Family Boycott is reminiscent of Olympia’s riot grrrl movement, move over Bratmobile, The Gossip and Bikini Kill—here come The Stolen Minks! - Shannon Webb Campbell
Ladies who know how to kick it, rock a billy style. - Johanna Gerrits
8 Old Man Ludecke
A walking Alan Lomax record - jason macissac
I like banjos, I like cooking, I like Old Man Luedecke - Ben Pearlman
Homepage
MySpace
9 Broken Deer
What I’ve heard of Broken Deer is amazing. No one in Halifax mixes folk, nature, and field recording. Live, these girls are all over the map, never playing the same show twice. - Chik White
Homepage
MySpace
10 Their Majesties
Their songs for lack of a better word are infectious. - Johanna Gerrits
Bringing a classic east-coast sound back, without sounding dated. - Ben Pearlman
11 Wintersleep
Can’t leave them off, they are getting huge and deserve it. - ben pearlman
12 Risky Biz
A Risky Business show is probably the most fun you can have in Halifax. They work hard, they’re tight, and their songs are catchy as hell. - Chik White
Tour harder and more extensivly then any band on the East Coast. And it’s fun to watch kids jump on each other’s heads. - Ben Pearlman
14 Laura Peek
I’ve never really been big on the girl singer songwriters, but Halifax has its fair share of unique and talented ladies, and ms peek has such a unique vibe to what she does, how can’t you like her??? - Johanna Gerrits
literate and sophisticated piano-pop….I heart Laura - Jason MacIssac
15 Brent Randall
classic songwriting akin to Nilsson & McCartney - Jason MacIssac
16 Slugbait
These guys are one of my favorite Halifax bands of all time. I know they are suppose to be broken up, but is a DROCK band ever really over? - Chik White
Homepage
MySpace
17 Jon Epworth
It should be religious law to receive a copy of Wet on Wet at your first communion or bar mitzvah, or whatever the kids are into these days. - Matt Charlton
Homepage
MySpace
18 Dead Hookers
Although this duo may consider themselves a joke band (maybe not), I think they’re superb. I’m certainly a fan of confrontational performances, and Chris Deon is all about confrontation. At the same time, he’s doesn’t rely of pure shock value. I’m convinced that his ramblings are sincere and that he truly is a troubled fellow. What’s more, their use of cassette tape loops and various detuned instruments actually makes for interesting music. - Chik White
Homepage
MySpace
19 Amelia Curran
Curran could very well be the Sylvia Plath of our time, as her lyrical perception borders on unmasked vulnerability and extreme pensiveness. The St. John’s native has become a fixture in the Halifax folk music scene, as she’s recently recruited the esteemed Ben Ross (Thrush Hermit, Mike O’Neill, Museum Pieces, Mark Bragg) on drums, Lukas Pearse on both stand-up and electric bass, and multi-instrumentalist Phil Sedore. - Shannon Webb Campbell
20 Dog Day
Next time bigger, better [more info on the bands themselves], and more great music to discover!!!!!
Tomorrow the rest of the bands mentioned.
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10 Comments so farLeave a comment
< ![CDATA[Carmen Townsend? Marshill?]]>
< ![CDATA[I was surprised by the lack of folks from Cape Breton and/or the House of Rock including Carmen actually as they're pretty visible here in Halifax.
Two Hours Traffic not as much [visibility] - but in both cases I'd say it goes back to the limited number of people that took part and their being from Halifax exclusively.]]>
< ![CDATA[My list is gigantic beyond what I submitted. I would certainly say that the Tom Fun Orchestra (from C.B.) are probably going to take over the world this year.]]>
< ![CDATA[as per load of rubbish.... 20 hottest bands...no such thing..there are however many "good" bands around...some even better than good...but great...thats a very select club...
great as defined by a dictionary " of remarkable ability"
where as grate "harsh noise" bands , there would appear to be many...
wink...]]>
< ![CDATA[Another point was that folks were just asked for ten bands, I'm pretty certain as Jason noted, all of them could have easily provided 2 or 3 times that number.
Again though the only point of this is to introduce some new bands to people from the east coast.
See someone missing include a link to some of their music.]]>
< ![CDATA[I think maybe this list, as rob stated, is foremost Halifax musicians/bands. Maybe it's just a bit confusing that it's labled as 20 hottest bands from the East Coast. I don't see anyone from NB or NL or maybe I do and just don't know it.
Halifax > NS > East Coast > Canada > Indie > Everything else
I got my money this year on a solo album by me and rob macarthur called "Music For Kittens"]]>
< ![CDATA[Waa Waa, boo hoo. I don't like those genres. Noise bands are noisy. They grate on me. How can that be great?
PS--it says "hot" or "popular", not "great".]]>
< ![CDATA[Want to see a "hot" East Coast band - check out the Frigate, Wed. January 17th...these boys know how to rock the house!!]]>
< ![CDATA[[...] In the recent poll for rising east coast acts and its follow up post there was a glaring lack of representation from outside Nova Scotia. That was all addressed in those posts and comments so here’s some of what was missing - a number of links to noted Newfoundland acts. [...] ]]>
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